Aspergillus, the fungus that can eat you from the inside out, is spreading—here's why

Time of India

6 days ago

A new study by researchers at the University of Manchester highlights how climate change is driving the expansion of harmful fungi across the globe, raising concerns for both public health and food security.
Fungi are a vast kingdom of organisms, from mold to mushrooms, found in environments like soil, compost, and water. They play important roles in ecosystems but can also impact human health: fungal infections are estimated to kill 2.5 million people annually, though the actual number may be even higher due to data gaps.
Despite their impact, fungi remain under-researched, and scientists are only beginning to understand how these highly adaptable organisms will respond to a warming climate.
A team from Manchester University used computer simulations and climate forecasts to map the potential future spread of Aspergillus, a common fungal group found worldwide that can cause aspergillosis, a disease that mainly affects the lungs.
The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, predicts that certain Aspergillus species will expand their range as temperatures rise, moving into parts of North America, Europe, China, and Russia.
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Growing awareness of fungal infections
'Fungi are relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future,' said Norman van Rijn, one of the study's authors and a climate change and infectious diseases researcher at the University of Manchester.
Public interest in fungal infections has grown recently thanks to the HBO television drama 'The Last of Us,' which imagines a world overrun by a mutant fungus.
'It's fiction,' van Rijn said, 'but he hopes it will raise the profile of fungal infections that are killing millions in reality.'
The study found that two species—Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus—are expected to find new habitats in parts of the US, Canada, Europe, and northern Asia by 2100. Conversely, some regions in South America, Africa, and Australia could become too hot to support these fungi, highlighting the complex effects of climate change.
Risks to people with weakened immune systems
Aspergillus fungi grow like small filaments in soil and release large numbers of tiny spores into the air. While most people inhale these spores without issue, those with lung conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD, as well as individuals with weakened immune systems due to cancer, organ transplants, or severe flu or COVID-19, are more vulnerable.
If the immune system cannot clear the spores, the fungus can grow inside the body.
'The fungus starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out, saying it really bluntly,' van Rijn said.
Aspergillosis has high mortality rates—around 20% to 40%—and is difficult to diagnose. Patients often show symptoms like fever and cough, which can be mistaken for other illnesses. Fungal pathogens are also becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, van Rijn added, noting that there are only four classes of antifungal medicines available.
How is climate change responsible?
This poses challenges as Aspergillus spreads into new regions. The study found that Aspergillus flavus, which thrives in hotter climates, could expand its reach by 16% if fossil fuel consumption continues at high levels. This species is also resistant to many antifungal medications and can infect crops, creating potential threats to food security. The World Health Organization added Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens in 2022 because of its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk.
Meanwhile, Aspergillus fumigatus, which prefers more temperate climates, is predicted to spread northwards as global temperatures rise, potentially increasing by 77.5% by 2100 and exposing 9 million people in Europe. In some regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, temperatures may become too hot for Aspergillus to thrive, which could affect ecosystem health because fungi contribute to soil stability.
A warming world could help fungi adapt
As the planet warms, fungi may also adapt by developing greater temperature tolerance, making them more capable of surviving inside human bodies. Extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, can also help fungi spread their spores over long distances. Despite the serious nature of aspergillosis, data on where Aspergillus is in the environment and how many people are infected remain limited.
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